For more information, contact:
Kristina Gawrgy
202-350-8857
kgawrgy@naeyc.org
For Immediate Release:
February 8, 2006
Budget Proposal Puts in Danger Child Care Assistance for Low Income Children
(Washington, D.C.) - According to the tables in the Administration’s budget request for fiscal year 2007 released today, there will be 400,000 fewer children receiving child care assistance in fiscal year 2011 than in 2005, and 650,000 fewer children receiving child care assistance in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2000.
Affordable, quality child care programs are a key factor in helping many young children be ready for school. For working families, child care is the linchpin for a family’s job security. Congress recently made significant cuts to discretionary funding, including child care, Head Start and other education programs. This proposal adds strain to state budgets and family budgets to support young children’s safe and positive early learning experiences.
“Congress should reject this budget proposal and should pass a budget that makes investment in early childhood education a national priority,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., Executive Director of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). “This is the wrong start to help all children succeed in school and in life.”
In addition to child care, NAEYC is deeply concerned that the budget proposal would freeze funding for Head Start, eliminate Even Start family literacy, fail to increase spending for special education for preschoolers, infants and toddlers, eliminate the grants to states and partnerships used to improve the recruitment, preparation and licensure of teachers, and freeze funding for grants to states and schools districts for improving teacher quality.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has nearly 90,000 members worldwide. The association is the largest and most influential advocate for early care and education in the
# # #
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.
